Great comparison video! All are good choices for a true battle rifle in my opinion...you just gotta get what you can afford and train like heck with it. My choice for what my carbine was built for would be the Eotech EXPS3-0.
You know this might be the most accurate comment on this video yet! All of these optics are cool, but the most effective choice is what you're confident in using! Certainly budget is the limiting factor for all of us so choose something you like and run it! Thanks for watching!
Brother, your down to earth and humble style of covering a topic in a practical and technical way, while also engaging us in an entertaining manner, is a gift. You are a great teacher and cover what I want to know. Cheers to you.
I like this content! I run an Eotech with 3x mag on 11.5" fighter. was considering going with the Elcan and ditching the red dot. This video was exactly what I needed to see.
Awesome, appreciate you taking the time to watch! That's a tough choice, I believe either setup would be extremely capable but I really like how flexible the eotech with the magnifier feels. Thanks for watching!
@@reeceorrick6748 yeah I feel ya, I know the pain! I try and stick to brands I trust. I just switched to the Sig Spear LT 556 coming from DD. I took the gamble and I'm glad I did, but that could have been a bad move.
Excellent info. Nice to have someone explore the optic choices without needing to purchase them to compare. Nice that you gave logical reasoning for the practical use of these 4 different types of optical choices. Enjoying the information learned from your videos.
Really appreciate the support! Certainly my goal is always to create entertaining content but I want to make sure each video has something of value for the viewer. Shooting each of these side by side really allowed me to get a feel for the pros/cons of each of these so hopefully that experience was conveyed clearly. Stay tuned for more content like this!
You know a lot of folks have mentioned how poorly the rifle groups at 100 yds. Ultimately though it is what it is, M855 is not match ammo and as shown in the video, consistent 3moa performance is plenty capable of making consistent hits on a reduced man size torso at 300 yds. Just out here trying to provide a look at what realistic performance is out of this package. Appreciate you taking the time to watch!
It could be grouping “poorly” because you stated you shot thousands of rounds through it already. We also don’t know your ability as a shooter. This is a great video either way because it shows an average person and what they can expect.
I've run everything, but the Elcan extensively. Taken all three into combat. I personally prefer the Razor Gen III above the ACOG and Eotech (I did not have a 5x magnifier on my M4) I ended up putting the Razor with Badger mount on my EBR as a DMR. The optic is wonderful in that capacity as he mentioned. I now have it on my 14.5 with a DPP 6MOA @ 45⁰. Yes it's on the heavy side but I'm somewhat of a larger guy so the extra weight is negligible. I absolutely love the set up. It's also far lighter than the EBR so again, I'm not concerned. Where I live I'll be engaging anywhere from 0 to 500 meters and this setup can run the full gambit.
Love the real world commentary! I really like the sounds of the 1-10 with an offset red dot, if you can manage a little extra weight I think this would offer a great package to engage targets up close and then push out to distance as you mentioned. I've ran the 1-10 on a couple of my rifles in other videos and made hits fairly easily on steel out to 1000ish yards. Really liked how the 1-10 fit on a DMR type rifle, the mil style reticle lends itself really well to that type shooting. Thanks for watching!
The window size and zero parallax just can't be beat when speed is necesarry at close to medium ranges. Eotech's are so great, paired with the magnifier to help out some past 200 its just so much better than an lpvo.
I have the same Acog on a 16" AR and really like it but was never able to master that BAC for close range shooting. So, I've added a Vortex Venom red dot on an offset mount which is easy to quickly transition back and forth between the two. Another great video!
You know I'm a huge acog fan, especially on something like a 14.5-16" AR. Speaking of that, stay tuned as I'm planning to feature this exact setup in some content soon. Like you mention though, I believe it's a must to add an offset or piggy back red dot to the acog setup to really speed up that close range shooting. BAC is a great theory but wow I've never had luck using it. Thanks for watching!
Great video, I have the eotech AA single dot and g45.. 200 yard zero and it’s fun to plink steel without the magnifier for sure, and with the magnifier you can definitely tighten up the groups. I Was looking at some of the other optics to mess around with but I think I was just ill with want, I’ll keep the eotech combo. Great content thanks for the effort in making solid informative videos on these topics.
You know I was very pleasantly surprised with the eotech/ magnifier setup. I fully expected this to be my least favorite option out of each of these options but after filming this video I'm looking for an excuse to buy an eotech with magnifier. While I agree your setup sounds solid, sometimes it's fun to see what other options are available. Thanks for watching!
I am impressed by these videos because the author uses meaningful analysis methods to get an informed opinion. Here’s the bottom-line, #1 is a reticle which supports recognition for where the barrel is pointed thus the target/distance will determine any need for magnification and since midrange may indeed require magnification for exacting hits the dot sight is not at all a good choice because the magnifier magnifies the reticle to obliterate recognition for where the barrel is pointed on a distant target, precluding good holdovers.Next is consideration for parallax error, meaning if hitting where aimed at short to midrange distance is important the LPVO is out of running since going from one extreme distance to another requires parallax adjustment to hit where aimed and this adjustment cannot be made in a timely manner. That gives us the ACOG and interestingly enough that’s what our Military has seen as the most viable solution for the last 20+ years, excepting special needs. Its range finding and bullet drop compensation functions in addition to support for a consistent sight picture make the ACOG the greatest advance since the invention of rifling to hitting where aimed. Finally, since any of these solutions in peculiar scenarios might excel, the shooter might just want to get all of these optics, because they can return to zero when remounting on a flattop, or maybe best of all learn first how to get good hits from bullet drop compensation irons such as found on detachable carry handle sight or MaTech. With irons, hitting the E type target out to 600 meters is doable when shooter has had some real marksmanship training that includes how to adjust aim for prevailing wind and weather conditions.
This is the comparison I've always wanted to do. You have presented this topic very well organized and succinctly. Thanks for your effort in presenting this comparison to us. New to the channel and I enjoy your content.
Really good comparison, I've been wanting a elcan ever since seeing it on all the rangers block 2's and mk18's, they're just expensive. I got a 11.5 BCM rifle and a palmetto AK. I feel like putting a primary arms 1-6 on the AK and keep it a cheap hunting/battle rifle. Then I could put a elcan on the 11.5, or buy a FSP block 2 upper for the elcan and have the eotech that's on the 11.5 as a spare optic. I just like having a etched reticle instead of relying on batteries or irons for a fighting rifle.
Yeah the biggest downside to the elcan is cost. If you can get past that barrier though it really is an epic optic. Beautiful glass, awesome capability with integrated 1x and 4x and like you say the etched and very clean reticle is a huge pro. Plus I'm not sure it gets cooler than an Elcan on a 14.5" block II FSP upper haha. Thanks for watching!
Again love the videos you’re putting out. Really hope to see this channel grow bigger. You should do a video talking about yourself, like your story and how you got into what you’re into.
Thank you! It’s crazy how much growth the channel has seen recently, I’m very thankful. So far it seems like folks are really responding well to the type of content I’m putting out and I enjoy doing so it’s been a fun journey. Great point, that’s something I might fit into a video sometime….. in summary I’m just a normal guy that likes to shoot a lot haha
Really appreciate the compliments! I’m just a regular guy out here trying to make entertaining shooting content and so far it’s been really well received. Hope you’ll stay tuned as I’ve got a ton of new content in the works and make sure to share with your buddies!
Another great video. Only thing I’d like to see different is you use the 3.5X ACOG which has better eye relief and is calibrated for M193 ammo. Keep up the great work brother!! Always enjoy how you do your videos!
Touche, the 3.5x acogs "fix" some of the drawbacks I mentioned in this video. I actually love the TA31F 4x acog and have ran it for years so I'm very comfortable with it. I'm actually planning to feature it in more content very soon so stay tuned! Thanks for watching!
@@MountainsMulletsMerica Looking forward to more great videos. If you ever come to northern Colorado let me know. I’ll supply all the ammo and hold the camera for ya 😝
Ultimately they are all great scopes and as you see in the video they are all very capable. Just comes down to what your ultimate goal is. For me I was really impressed with how flexible the eotech with magnifier setup felt. Thanks for watching!
Spectacular review brother! I agree with you on the Eotech… I wasn’t to impressed early on but after running it for a little bit it’s pretty enjoyable! Keep the content coming!
Tell you what, I'm kind of thinking I want an eotech now. Trying to decide which of my rifles I can use as an excuse to pull the trigger haha. Lots more content on the way!
@@MountainsMulletsMerica Have you tried an aimpoint? They're pretty nice too albeit with a far more simplistic reticle. Personally I like a plain jane RDS.
@@beardly0121 I have, I had a comp M3 years ago that I used to shoot very often and I've still got a primary arms micro red dot (likely featured in some upcoming content). I am a fan of a plain jane red dot as well and this is part of the reason I expected that I would not like the eotech. My initial impression was the Eotech had a lot going on and would be hard to master. After spending time with the eotech it really grew on me though and I'm a fan. Ultimately my thoughts with regards to this video and my conclusion is the eotech is interchangeable with a standard red dot, it's the concept here that I really like.
@@MountainsMulletsMerica I currently want a new red dot as well. I do like eotechs especially because they perform better with a magnifier. I also think the reticle might be faster up close compared to a standard red dot(which might make an interesting video in and of itself. Eotech circle dot vs standard plain red dot). The only thing that bothers me about eotech is the battery life which can be mitigated to a certain extent with rechargeable batteries but it still is what it is. For this reason and this reason alone I have become more interested in Holosun red dots specifically because they offer red dot battery life with an eotech style reticle. That said they're still not as high quality as an actual eotech or aimpoint so there is still a risk. I guess it comes down to getting a Holosun red dot and being sure that it's a good one through training with it. I personally own a SIG Romeo 5 that I've had for 2 years now and absolutely beat the hell out of it and it's still going strong with zero issues to report. Battery life is good, durability is absolutely fine, and I've never lost zero with it even when mounted on Kalashnikov pattern rifles. The thing is this, by buying one of the better holosuns you're not even saving that much money compared to an Eotech EXPS2 which if you don't use NVGs is all you really need (and I've heard they do still work with NVGs, they just don't have as many settings as the exps3). So it really comes down to the quality and the battery life in my book as well as one very important thing...Eotech is American and I'd rather have "made in the USA" when I can. Idk, this is tough.
Absolutely fantastic content/presentation/information. Driving nails @200y w/1x = hardcore. @14:50...that look 🙂 My Vortex Spitfire 1x is super fun too. I really enjoy the challenge of building accuracy skills @+100y.
Fantastic review, very much appreciated. Considering the EXPS3-2 or EXPS3-4 among the EXPS3 series and debating G45 or stuck with 3x magnifiers… that I already have.
Man you are a true American badazz! I love everything about your videos and you speak clear and with purpose so its refreshing! Thank you for the content Im going to get everyone I know to sub because this channel needs a few million subs along with views.
As much as we can't have these kinds of rifles here in Australia, it's really interesting to see how the optics stack up against each other. pump action 5.56 rifles with LPVOs are the go-to in competition shooting in Aus, mostly due to the stage design. With defense being not the point of anyone's gear choice, it's always going to be down to competitive shooting to make the choice. Great video!
Very interesting! I didn't realize pump action 5.56 rifles were the go to choice in your neck of the woods. While this video was geared toward a "fighting rifle" or defensive type rifle I believe the concepts discussed with each optic are still valid for the competition world. In fact I've run the elcan, the acog and an older 1-6 LPVO in many carbine and 2 gun matches through the years and each of these are very effective for that type shooting as well. Really appreciate you taking the time to watch!
@@MountainsMulletsMerica with no semi-autos allowed for 99.9% of people, and pump action rifles being available for everyone, it is really the obvious choice of action type. They are popular enough that Australia has a few domestic manufacturers of pump 223 and 308 rifles that have really great reputations. Compatible with AR/ stanag mags, so it is as close to a semi-auto as we can get. Thanks for all the awesome content, I've been watching since those first few uploads so I'm keen to keep seeing the channel evolving! I'm going to be moving to the rainforest mountains of Victoria soon, and you've inspired me to get myself a precision rifle and do some long range shooting!
@@wefyb2 Very cool! I'd have to think with a bit of practice a semi auto rifle fed by ar mags would be very fast and super effective. 100% you'll love getting in to long range shooting. After you get those first couple hits at distance you'll be hooked! It'll be frustrating at first so don't give up! Appreciate the continued support! The channel has seen a ton of growth so far which has been super fun. Lots of exciting content planned in 2023 so stay tuned!
Awesome video man, from real world experience the Elcan is amazing. Last trip in afghan I used it, our engagement at times started at 600 yards and we would be able to suppressed. While I get I’m not doing that here but it’s an amazing fighting optic. Used the eotech too but I’d take a aimpoint over that just my preference.
Really appreciate you taking the time to watch and provide real world feedback! Pretty wild you had engagements that were just getting started at 600yds. Based on some of the comments in the acog at long range video that I just launched I’m thinking I want to do the same thing with my elcan. Epic close range performer but very capable out to the edges of effectiveness for 556. Im almost embarrassed to admit it but I bought the eotech shown in this video…. First time using one and I really liked it. More content coming around that as well. Hope you’ll stay tuned!
I’ll stay tuned I appreciate seeing folks opinions. The acog had its placed I used it in Iraq but I felt in afghn it was limited where I was at on my second trip there. We had big open areas that happened by coming through a small village, so range changed quickly. The eotech is great but I used a aimpoint in Iraq on my second trip there, just got hooked and now that I don’t have tax dollar funds and for the amount I shoot batteries last longer.
Another great video man! I've been thinking about throwing a 1-6 on my 10.5 in my head it would be better than the 1-10 having a less busy reticle, I'll have to throw it on and see how I like it
Shoot I say give it a try! I'm guessing your 1-6 has a bdc type reticle in it? If so, I think that would actually match up really well for a SBR you plan to use out to 200-300 yds. With enough practice you can make anything work well! Thanks for watching!
I cannot overstate how important it is to try a 1-10 before buying one. You can stretch to 1-8 without breaking anything in terms of usability, but 1-10 starts to require huge sacrifices on account of FOV or eyebox or plenty of other specs in order to work. Do not buy one till you try one.
I've got a 1x6 lpvo on a 12.5, and I ditched the bdc for a cross hair mil dot reticle. Trying to pick out obscure targets in cover AND seeing them well enough to do a proper hold is easier with a minimalist reticle. The viper pst gen2 or the delta stryker (my choice) are amazingly versatile optics for a shorty ar build. I've tried red dot, red dot/magnifier, 3x prism, acog. LPVOs gives me the versatility I need for my terrain. Good 1x with clear glass for longer ranges. 1x10 trades more than it gives depending on your environment imo. If you're just target shooting then go for w/e.
@Call of War the viper 1-6 is actually what I would be putting on there. My eye picks up the dot at 1x better on it than my red dot and 6 is more than enough for 300. Looking to grab a 2x10 for my 16"
Thanks for the video. I just bought an LPVO yesterday. I haven't mounted it to a rifle yet, and I only bought it to have a representative for students to consider. I'm 60+, and my father is 80+, so optics have become a primary focus (pun not intended), nearly as much as reasonable accuracy.
I have everything you mentioned on the table there. My Razor is the 1-6x though. Much more user-friendly and more forgiving eye-box than less popular 1-10x Razor. I love them all. To your point about the EOTech EXPS, it's absolutely fantastic when paired with either the G33 (3x mag) or the G45 (5x mag). The one drawback to the G45 though (for those considering the G45) is that the eye-box is MUCH tighter and far less forgiving (left/right/up/down) than the G33. Scope shadow tends to dominate the G45 and it forces the shooter to have to train significantly more often on the G45 so you can try to mimic identical cheek-weld placements to limit the amount of shadow you see. Aside from that, another great video, brother. Keep rockin and rollin with the content.
Thanks sooo much for these real world videos. I'm just an average, ordinary guy and can't afford expensive stuff. I'm glad to see the accuracy in this video is the same as mine. I'm seeing videos where some guys are getting sub-moa ALL the time and I was thinking, is this realistic? But now I see that it's not. And the 36 yd zero video was awesome as well. My hits were 3.5 high and i was wondering what's wrong because my ballistic charts were saying it should be lower. But after seeing yours, I know what "reality" is now and am happy with my results (which were almost identical to yours out to 300 yds). I'm a subscriber now and am following your channel. One of the best, most informative channels for someone like me.
Hey man really appreciate the support! Like you, I'm just a regular guy that loves to shoot. My goal with the channel is to keep things real for the exact reasons you listed in your comment. So many times we see and hear of performance that in most cases is not representative of reality. You've probably read through the comments in this video and noticed a lot of folks have mentioned how poor the accuracy on this rifle/ammo combo is when in reality this is very normal for a rack grade AR shooting mil spec ammo. I'm actually thinking of making a video around this exact topic soon so stay tuned!
Great review of the capabilities of each of these battle proven optics. I own and run all four of these and agree with everything you said. I prefer the Elcan Specter 1,4 and run it on a 14.5” SR-15 as my go-to rifle. Enjoy shooting it more than my TA31 and TA11 ACOGs. I really like the Eotech EXPS3 for night vision work and shotguns. The 60 moa ring matches a shot spread pretty well.
Good stuff, glad to know I’m not the only elcan fan in the house haha. I actually liked the eotech so much that I decided to buy this one from my buddy. Stay tuned as I plan to have more eotech content coming soon. Thanks for watching!
Randomly came across your channel before Christmas, subscribed and have been liking the content you put out. I’m on a tight budget, run a red dot magnifier combination. It works for everything I need it to do. Looking forward to more great videos. Aloha 🤙🏽
Really appreciate you taking the time to watch and support the channel! Sounds like you’ve got an awesome setup, after spending time with the eotech and the magnifier setup I am a fan. Extremely versatile and not crazy expensive to get into.
Thanks so much for this video man... I was going with the acog but after watching this I think the eotech will fit my needs better for my battle rifle.
Tell you what…. Prior to this video I was rather anti eotech but mainly because I’d never spent time shooting one. After running each of these side by side I ended up buying this exact eotech and magnifier from my buddy and after putting more rounds through it I’m a huge fan! Check out my more recent videos where I show bdc performance out to 600yds!
How on EARTH do you only have 30ishK subscribers, and your the only channel I've ever seen upload 4k, 60fps.../HD FUCKING R?!/ Bravo. New viewer here. Will recommend any time your videos are relevant.
Hopping for more user feedbacks. I believe we all have a general ideas about the capabilities of the options when we clicked on the video, but what we don't have is the luxury to try and feel them all side by side
Excellent content & I hope to see your channel grow. Just subbed. I never considered EoTech as a viable option because of their shady practices with our military and I’ve always been an Aimpoint guy. Looks like an EoTech/magnifier might be beneficial for what I want to accomplish with my AR-15. 🇺🇸
Great content & info, I've been trying to decide on an optic for my 18in MK12 clone. I used a Criterion barrel instead of a Douglas barrel. Been using a Steiner PX4i 1-4, but want a little more capability. Keep bringing awesome content.👍🏽
Been running a red dot/Eotech with a 3x magnifier for about two years. Finally got to shoot to 500 yards today. Got about a seven inch group (3 within two inches) with 75gr Hornady frontier otm out of a budget DB-15 1-8 16inch. Very surprised and pleased with this set up. Very versatile. That Elcan has always caught my eye though. Perfect for a GPR. When I get a 6.5 Grendel upper, I'll be considering it. Thanks for the vid.
Man a 7” group at 500 yds using an eotech with magnifier is awesome shooting! Curious if you were using one of the eotechs with the bdc built into the reticle or just the standard eotech circle and dot?
@@MountainsMulletsMerica Thanks. I was using a standard one dot. I measured my target ( a full sized spray-painted silhouette ) before hand and used my dope. I also used a Hiperfire edt marksman trigger which I believe was a advantage. I would love to try a Geissele one day and see how I would do. Hear nothing but great things about them.
@@Jason32Bourne epic shooting! It’s amazing how much easier it is to shoot to distance with a nice trigger. Anymore, swapping the trigger to a nice match 2 stage is the first thing I do in a new AR!
After seeing how it performed in my last video I'll be using it on my fighting ARs moving forward. Something worth mentioning. In my last video the 36yd zero was also pretty much spot on with the 14.5" barreled rifle. I noticed with the 10.3" barrel rifle the 36yd zero was landing a bit low at 300 yds. Goes to show every rifle is a little different but directionally the concept works.
Really appreciate this video - perhaps the EXPS3-4 with a 5X magnifier would edge out the capabilities of the Elcan more definitively? There's your BDC and the option to use under nods is way more practical. I think that's what sells it for me.
Curious how the Acog would stack up in this comparison if run with a offset or piggyback micro red dot. It should only add a couple of oz. Do you think it would rank up there with the Eotech or Elcan if so? Another idea for a video that could be interesting is barrel length for a fighting rifle outdoors. If it's not something you are going to use in indoor CQC, is going from a 18/16inch to a 10 or 14.5 providing any tangible benefit over the longer options, or are you better off with the longer barrel and greater velocity? The short AR are all the rage these days, and are great for home defense or urban combat, however for us in rural America are they really relevant?
Love it! After running each of these optics side by side I really feel like either of these optics would be perfect on a fighting AR. I went into this video expecting the eotech and magnifier would be my least favorite but after some time with the setup that quickly changed haha. Thanks for watching!
@@MountainsMulletsMerica I shoot 2Gun COMPETITIONs monthly. 75% of the time I use my go too 13.9 with EXPS3 and Micro 3x MAGNIFIER. When we are shooting 300 Yards and in I use this combo . When ever we shoot at PNTC I use my Recce 14.5 Upper with 1-10 because we shoot out to 600M at that range . I have absolutely 0 issues hitting Reduced C zone at 320 Yards . I have hit 8" plate at 320 yards with EXPS3 and Triplier. I did not get it in the first shot . I got it on the third shot . If the Elcan wasnt so expensive I'd for sure own one lol. I'm also a sucker for Trijicon Accupoint and ACOG . I freaking love TA45 and TA31 . TA45 is probably my all around favorite for 100Y and in . If someone said ACOG with MRDS was the absolute best setup . I would not argue with them . I can see why they think that . Red Dot / HWS with Micro Triplier to me just makes the most sense . It's kind of a no brainer . Especially now with UNITY FTC Triplier mounts .
Sounds like you made some great choices! After shooting this video I'm a fan of the eotech/ magnifier setup.... just so flexible. Appreciate you taking the time to watch!
If you are interested in "fighting" rifles, then begin by looking at the US Army standard issue M4 (14.5 with an aimpoint red dot). During this time frame, you will see 14.5 an 20 inch rifles outfitted with the ACOG. More recently, the Marines have opted for 16 inch M4s with 1x6 LPVOs. And my favorite, the Rangers, running M4s (14.5 with Eotechs). These are just some of the setups having been run during real-world fighting. Hope that helps you develop what works best for you. Best of luck, Phil
Yep, hard to argue with real world data! Lots of Elcans out there and most recently the trijicon 1-8 as well. Pretty interesting seeing how gear preferences have changed in fairly recent times. Thanks for watching!
Great video. Just the content I was looking for. Currently I run a delta point pro red dot on my house ar and a PA 1x prism with a 3x Juliet on another one.
Awesome, appreciate you taking the time to watch! Funny you mention the 1x prism sight, I've had several comments on this video regarding prism optics. I'm thinking I might try to pick one up to try out in future content. Hard to beat a 1x with magnifier in my opinion.
we fielded the acog TA01 back in 2004 on a brand new FN M16A4 with the new picatinny rail KAS. we were taught to aim top of the post under the chevron for 100m zero. when went to Iraq, the sun being so bright, we would tape the Tritium with duck tape or electrical tape to offset the brightness. for Acog close range or room clearing, we would try the Bindon Aiming Concept. however, I preferred aiming for the bottom of my front sight post.
Good stuff. I personally run a dot paired with an eotech magnifier in unity mounts, have been for years now. I've always liked the idea of other options but never made the leap. I've gotten so used to it I cant get away from it, and its served me well over the years. Glad to see it do so well for you aswell, I too have the same opinion on the setup, it's nice to have the extra magnification when needed but also nice to be able to strip some weight when not needed. I've always liked the idea and looks of the elcan but have no time behind one or ever even seen one in person lol mabey some day.
Pretty crazy man…. Prior to shooting this video I wasn’t a fan of a red dot/ magnifier setup but admittedly I’d never really given the setup a fair shot. After running each of these setups side by side and approaching with an open mind I was shocked at how well I liked the red dot/ magnifier setup. Liked it so much I ended up buying both the eotech and the G45 from my buddy haha. Hoping to push the setup to distance at some point so we can see how well the eotech bdc reticle matches up with really world performance at distance.
Oh man elcans aren’t cheap but in my opinion they are totally worth the price. Extremely robust optic with great glass, perfect pair for a fighting rifle in my opinion. I support your decision to buy haha
Nice video and as usual you did some good shooting. With that said I fundamentally disagree with your conclusion. I believe the ACOG is the best option and yes, it is superior when paired with an RMR. That said, you will not find a lighter or more durable optic that offers the capability of an ACOG+RMR combo. Yes, on a 10.3" MK18 personally I'd run an eotech or other RDS. BUT, for the average person a 10.3" rifle is not an ideal fighting rifle. Something in the 11.5-14.5" range would be better and really, I'd say 11.5" only if using it suppressed as you are. Otherwise the average person should be running a 12.5-14.5" barrel with a magnified optic. You can definitely engage faster with a red dot sight at close range. But combat isn't just about engaging, it's about gathering information so that you know when to engage and how best to do so. I really dig your channel bro but I had to offer my 2 cents. Another guy whom I also recently found and subscribed to has an excellent video where he really lays down the logic behind the ACOG and ACOG+RMR. I really suggest watching it: ruclips.net/video/vPOit6EMxnI/видео.html
Solid video from preparedairmen and I appreciate you sharing! Looks like he's got a solid channel with a lot of cool content. Ultimately I agree with both your and prepared airmen's comments, a magnified optic is a much have on fighting type AR. The acog is an awesome optic, extremely robust with a great glass a huge field of view an easy to use reticle. If I were putting together a rifle where weight was at the top of the list I would for sure choose an acog with red dot. If weight isn't the most critical concern I believe there are other options that I would prefer. I believe a fair mix of capability and weight is the red dot with the magnifier setup. Run the magnifier on the rifle when you need the ability to magnify and see/ shoot at distance, then if you find yourself shooting primarily close range or working with NV remove the magnifer and run the red dot by itself. Ultimately though each of these optics have a place on a fighting rifle as they all have their own pros and cons. For me, I prefer my acog on my 14.5" block II upper. I'm actually planning a video with this setup shortly so stay tuned! Appreciate you taking the time to watch!
Awesome! Really appreciate you taking the time to watch and support the channel! Tell you what, I went into this video fully expecting to like the eotech and magnifier the least of all.... turns out I liked it so much I bought this eotech and G45 setup off my buddy haha. Great choice for all around use.
My favorite all around set up is a red dot/holo sight running 1/3rd with fixed iron sights. Then a sling and a flash light. I shoot irons a lot though. The principles between dots that colored and front sight focus are opposites. It takes a bit more work than perhaps, most people are interested in learning.
Solid vido buddy. I was fully expecting you to like the LPVO for shooting because that’s what I like the most but I just bought an eco-tech for an SBR that I have so I’m glad to hear your opinion on the topic. I’m about to take a heavy rifle and pistol class, but I’m gonna see if my opinions match up to yours. Keep the great content coming.
Would love to hear what you think after running each of those side by side. Ultimately I love LPVOs but for the purposes outlined in this video I preferred the other optics. My opinion is an LPVO is a great fit on something like a 14.5-16" rifle or something along the lines of a DMR that you're looking to push out to distance. This 1-10 in particular was a lot of scope for a 10.3" SBR where max engagement distance is 200-300ish yards. Thanks for watching!
I run an elcan on my 12.5". Its awesome I played around with the eotech and g33 first. Then i broke the vortex viper pst on my Mk12. Bought the elcan 1/3/9 as a bombproof replacement. Loved it so i bought the spectre 1/4 for my 12.5". No regrets
Thank you! My hope was to come up with a fair way to compare optics that would represent how most folks would be using them. Certainly not perfect but i learned a ton doing this. Thanks for watching!
Owning several red dots and scopes, my fave is my Vortex viper pst gen 2 1-6. thats just me though. i think you should re-barrel your upper though man. Ballistic advantage and Rosco have some really accurate tubes for not too many doll hairs. if i had a barrel that shot groups like yours i would be pissed. civilians have the luxury of exceeding mil-spec.
Yeah this upper isn't exactly a tack driver. Ultimately though the performance is what it is and M855 isn't exactly match ammo. One of these days I might run some 77gr ammo through this upper to see what it's actually capable of but in the context of this video I was able to make 36 out of 40 hits on a reduced man size torso at 300 yds. My opinion that is acceptable performance given the ammo, optic and intended role of the rifle. I've got other projects I want to spend money on so this upper likely won't see a new barrel for a long time haha. Thanks for watching!
Great review bro. I got an EoTech XPS2-0 and I'm saving up for the magnifier. The reticle is fuzzy but I think the magnifier will clean it up. I'm getting an ACOG later. For my LPVO I didn't want to spend the money for a razor so I just got a Sig Tango MSR 1-8. It's been good enough for me. Top end LPVOs are so expensive.
No joke, the high end LPVOs feel crazy expensive for what they are. That said, I bet you'll be really happy with a magnifier behind the Eotech you're got. LPVOs are awesome but I really enjoyed the flexibility offered by the eotech with the magnifier and as shown in the video I felt like this setup gave up very little if anything to any of the other optics.
Don't cheap out the magnifier. I have an EXPS2-2 and it's crystal clear with the G33. It still looks good with my Holosun HMX3T and Vortex Micro 3 but it's noticeable and you'll seriously want that clearer glass at higher magnification. If you like that set up, next time it'll save you some cash to buy both a EXPS and G33 together. I found the combo for $830 shipped this year and been really pleased with it. LPVOs are tricky because again, you'll want and benefit from clearer glass at higher magnification. I recommended a Trijicon Credo HX 1-6, Delta Stryker HD, Steiner PX4I, Trijicon TR25, Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 for decent sub $1,000 LPVOs that I consider mid range-ish if you're ever looking to get out of that budget LPVO tier with the Primary Arms SLX, Swampfox Arrowhead, Sig Tango MSR tiers. A sleeper LPVO is the Burris RT6 imo which is sub $400.
You know the 1.5-6 elcan is something I want to try. Can’t decide how the 1.5x would perform vs something more along the lines of a true 1x. Thanks for watching!
You know this thought crossed my mind. I don’t have one at the moment but I’ve been thinking about getting one. Would be great to use in quantifying some of the differences between these optics. Thing is I’m just an average guy out plinking so I don’t expect any kind of lightening quick speeds haha. Thanks for watching!
I have a Vortex 1-8 on my 16 inch carbine and a holosun 503C red dot on my 10 inch CQB truck gun. Choose the right equipment for the right task and you'll never be disappointed. Most civilians are never going to take a 300 yard shot so LPVO isn't a need. Weight matters, try walking your rifle and 6 magazines a mile and you'll understand why 2 extra pounds of weight for a scope sucks ;-)
That’s why huck my 16” Dd5v3 15x viper d50 with 175smks up the steepest mts eastern Ky has..with 80more rds on a old nam style 4mag carrier with the super soft pads…I’m 125lbs with 5 178grbthp’s in each pocket….stay in mountains
Totally agree with you on this one. LPVOs are cool and certainly have a place but as shown in the video not my first choice for a fighting type AR. Like you mention, shooting over 300 yds with a "fighting rifle" is rather unlikely so while handy, 6x, 8x, or 10x really isn't neccessary. I'd rather have something a little lighter instead of more top end magnification. Appreciate you taking the time to watch!
You're like the millennial version of Paul Harrel. Very informative and professional.
Haha that’s great! Appreciate you taking the time to watch!
Lol! That's exactly right! Great opinions and info, thanks.
😂100%! I love this type of content; informative and straightforward
High praise.
Definitely pushing Paul vibes, we need that now more than ever...
Algorithm buster
Great comparison video! All are good choices for a true battle rifle in my opinion...you just gotta get what you can afford and train like heck with it. My choice for what my carbine was built for would be the Eotech EXPS3-0.
You know this might be the most accurate comment on this video yet! All of these optics are cool, but the most effective choice is what you're confident in using! Certainly budget is the limiting factor for all of us so choose something you like and run it! Thanks for watching!
Dude this is a great vid - thanks for taking the time to put this together
Appreciate it! I had a blast putting this one together. Thanks for watching!
Brother, your down to earth and humble style of covering a topic in a practical and technical way, while also engaging us in an entertaining manner, is a gift. You are a great teacher and cover what I want to know. Cheers to you.
I like this content! I run an Eotech with 3x mag on 11.5" fighter. was considering going with the Elcan and ditching the red dot. This video was exactly what I needed to see.
Awesome, appreciate you taking the time to watch! That's a tough choice, I believe either setup would be extremely capable but I really like how flexible the eotech with the magnifier feels. Thanks for watching!
Another reason I like the elcan that wasnt mentioned was that its a mechanical zero. Also, the reason why I like running the Vortex UH1 gen 2 huey!
The Elcan seems bombproof, I'd need to play around with one before committing $2k. Good point on the mechanical zero
@@chrisjet10001 Perfect excuse to make some new buddies! I know I've spent tons of money buying new stuff only to realize I hate it womp womp
@@reeceorrick6748 yeah I feel ya, I know the pain! I try and stick to brands I trust. I just switched to the Sig Spear LT 556 coming from DD. I took the gamble and I'm glad I did, but that could have been a bad move.
Excellent info. Nice to have someone explore the optic choices without needing to purchase them to compare. Nice that you gave logical reasoning for the practical use of these 4 different types of optical choices. Enjoying the information learned from your videos.
Really appreciate the support! Certainly my goal is always to create entertaining content but I want to make sure each video has something of value for the viewer. Shooting each of these side by side really allowed me to get a feel for the pros/cons of each of these so hopefully that experience was conveyed clearly. Stay tuned for more content like this!
i really like seeing the honest/real world grouping of that rifle
You know a lot of folks have mentioned how poorly the rifle groups at 100 yds. Ultimately though it is what it is, M855 is not match ammo and as shown in the video, consistent 3moa performance is plenty capable of making consistent hits on a reduced man size torso at 300 yds. Just out here trying to provide a look at what realistic performance is out of this package. Appreciate you taking the time to watch!
It could be grouping “poorly” because you stated you shot thousands of rounds through it already. We also don’t know your ability as a shooter. This is a great video either way because it shows an average person and what they can expect.
@@davidb9323exactly! I’m sure those groups would have been closer to 2” when the rifle was new.
@@Lifechanging99999 probably, M855 is a barrel burner !
I've run everything, but the Elcan extensively. Taken all three into combat. I personally prefer the Razor Gen III above the ACOG and Eotech (I did not have a 5x magnifier on my M4)
I ended up putting the Razor with Badger mount on my EBR as a DMR. The optic is wonderful in that capacity as he mentioned. I now have it on my 14.5 with a DPP 6MOA @ 45⁰. Yes it's on the heavy side but I'm somewhat of a larger guy so the extra weight is negligible. I absolutely love the set up. It's also far lighter than the EBR so again, I'm not concerned. Where I live I'll be engaging anywhere from 0 to 500 meters and this setup can run the full gambit.
Love the real world commentary! I really like the sounds of the 1-10 with an offset red dot, if you can manage a little extra weight I think this would offer a great package to engage targets up close and then push out to distance as you mentioned. I've ran the 1-10 on a couple of my rifles in other videos and made hits fairly easily on steel out to 1000ish yards. Really liked how the 1-10 fit on a DMR type rifle, the mil style reticle lends itself really well to that type shooting. Thanks for watching!
Good shit, also thank you for your service.
The window size and zero parallax just can't be beat when speed is necesarry at close to medium ranges. Eotech's are so great, paired with the magnifier to help out some past 200 its just so much better than an lpvo.
I have the same Acog on a 16" AR and really like it but was never able to master that BAC for close range shooting. So, I've added a Vortex Venom red dot on an offset mount which is easy to quickly transition back and forth between the two. Another great video!
You know I'm a huge acog fan, especially on something like a 14.5-16" AR. Speaking of that, stay tuned as I'm planning to feature this exact setup in some content soon. Like you mention though, I believe it's a must to add an offset or piggy back red dot to the acog setup to really speed up that close range shooting. BAC is a great theory but wow I've never had luck using it. Thanks for watching!
@@MountainsMulletsMerica Awesome, looking forward to it!
Great video, I have the eotech AA single dot and g45.. 200 yard zero and it’s fun to plink steel without the magnifier for sure, and with the magnifier you can definitely tighten up the groups. I Was looking at some of the other optics to mess around with but I think I was just ill with want, I’ll keep the eotech combo. Great content thanks for the effort in making solid informative videos on these topics.
You know I was very pleasantly surprised with the eotech/ magnifier setup. I fully expected this to be my least favorite option out of each of these options but after filming this video I'm looking for an excuse to buy an eotech with magnifier. While I agree your setup sounds solid, sometimes it's fun to see what other options are available. Thanks for watching!
Just found this channel. I love it already! Great content man and refreshing to not have the cinematic theatrics and just pure knowledge drops🤙🏽
Glad to hear you’re enjoying my videos! Lots of fresh content in the works so hope you’ll stay tuned!
Always liked the idea of LPVOs, have a few even, but have never tried the other options in your lineup, excited to give maybe the EO or elcan a try.
This is a very cool comparison thanks for putting all the time and money into making this.
I am impressed by these videos because the author uses meaningful analysis methods to get an informed opinion. Here’s the bottom-line, #1 is a reticle which supports recognition for where the barrel is pointed thus the target/distance will determine any need for magnification and since midrange may indeed require magnification for exacting hits the dot sight is not at all a good choice because the magnifier magnifies the reticle to obliterate recognition for where the barrel is pointed on a distant target, precluding good holdovers.Next is consideration for parallax error, meaning if hitting where aimed at short to midrange distance is important the LPVO is out of running since going from one extreme distance to another requires parallax adjustment to hit where aimed and this adjustment cannot be made in a timely manner. That gives us the ACOG and interestingly enough that’s what our Military has seen as the most viable solution for the last 20+ years, excepting special needs. Its range finding and bullet drop compensation functions in addition to support for a consistent sight picture make the ACOG the greatest advance since the invention of rifling to hitting where aimed. Finally, since any of these solutions in peculiar scenarios might excel, the shooter might just want to get all of these optics, because they can return to zero when remounting on a flattop, or maybe best of all learn first how to get good hits from bullet drop compensation irons such as found on detachable carry handle sight or MaTech. With irons, hitting the E type target out to 600 meters is doable when shooter has had some real marksmanship training that includes how to adjust aim for prevailing wind and weather conditions.
This is the comparison I've always wanted to do. You have presented this topic very well organized and succinctly. Thanks for your effort in presenting this comparison to us. New to the channel and I enjoy your content.
Really good comparison, I've been wanting a elcan ever since seeing it on all the rangers block 2's and mk18's, they're just expensive. I got a 11.5 BCM rifle and a palmetto AK. I feel like putting a primary arms 1-6 on the AK and keep it a cheap hunting/battle rifle. Then I could put a elcan on the 11.5, or buy a FSP block 2 upper for the elcan and have the eotech that's on the 11.5 as a spare optic. I just like having a etched reticle instead of relying on batteries or irons for a fighting rifle.
Yeah the biggest downside to the elcan is cost. If you can get past that barrier though it really is an epic optic. Beautiful glass, awesome capability with integrated 1x and 4x and like you say the etched and very clean reticle is a huge pro. Plus I'm not sure it gets cooler than an Elcan on a 14.5" block II FSP upper haha. Thanks for watching!
Again love the videos you’re putting out. Really hope to see this channel grow bigger. You should do a video talking about yourself, like your story and how you got into what you’re into.
Thank you! It’s crazy how much growth the channel has seen recently, I’m very thankful. So far it seems like folks are really responding well to the type of content I’m putting out and I enjoy doing so it’s been a fun journey. Great point, that’s something I might fit into a video sometime….. in summary I’m just a normal guy that likes to shoot a lot haha
I am impressed with the info in your videos. Your videos are much better than the big name "hype" channels. Keep up the good work.
Really appreciate the compliments! I’m just a regular guy out here trying to make entertaining shooting content and so far it’s been really well received. Hope you’ll stay tuned as I’ve got a ton of new content in the works and make sure to share with your buddies!
Another great video. Only thing I’d like to see different is you use the 3.5X ACOG which has better eye relief and is calibrated for M193 ammo. Keep up the great work brother!! Always enjoy how you do your videos!
Touche, the 3.5x acogs "fix" some of the drawbacks I mentioned in this video. I actually love the TA31F 4x acog and have ran it for years so I'm very comfortable with it. I'm actually planning to feature it in more content very soon so stay tuned! Thanks for watching!
@@MountainsMulletsMerica
Looking forward to more great videos.
If you ever come to northern Colorado let me know. I’ll supply all the ammo and hold the camera for ya 😝
I don’t know if it’s the eye relief but the glass in 3.5 always looks better through my eyes.
Thank you for comparing all these options. Sometimes getting your hands on a bunch of different optics to try is a tough thing to do.
Thanks for this! Been juggling all of these in my head for the past few weeks & going crazy
Ultimately they are all great scopes and as you see in the video they are all very capable. Just comes down to what your ultimate goal is. For me I was really impressed with how flexible the eotech with magnifier setup felt. Thanks for watching!
I commend your dedication to do this out in the rain. Great info!
Ha thank you! I’m not sure if it’s dedication or maybe stupidity but it certainly was fun!
Spectacular review brother! I agree with you on the Eotech… I wasn’t to impressed early on but after running it for a little bit it’s pretty enjoyable! Keep the content coming!
Tell you what, I'm kind of thinking I want an eotech now. Trying to decide which of my rifles I can use as an excuse to pull the trigger haha. Lots more content on the way!
@@MountainsMulletsMerica Have you tried an aimpoint? They're pretty nice too albeit with a far more simplistic reticle. Personally I like a plain jane RDS.
@@beardly0121 I have, I had a comp M3 years ago that I used to shoot very often and I've still got a primary arms micro red dot (likely featured in some upcoming content). I am a fan of a plain jane red dot as well and this is part of the reason I expected that I would not like the eotech. My initial impression was the Eotech had a lot going on and would be hard to master. After spending time with the eotech it really grew on me though and I'm a fan. Ultimately my thoughts with regards to this video and my conclusion is the eotech is interchangeable with a standard red dot, it's the concept here that I really like.
@@MountainsMulletsMerica I currently want a new red dot as well. I do like eotechs especially because they perform better with a magnifier. I also think the reticle might be faster up close compared to a standard red dot(which might make an interesting video in and of itself. Eotech circle dot vs standard plain red dot). The only thing that bothers me about eotech is the battery life which can be mitigated to a certain extent with rechargeable batteries but it still is what it is. For this reason and this reason alone I have become more interested in Holosun red dots specifically because they offer red dot battery life with an eotech style reticle. That said they're still not as high quality as an actual eotech or aimpoint so there is still a risk. I guess it comes down to getting a Holosun red dot and being sure that it's a good one through training with it. I personally own a SIG Romeo 5 that I've had for 2 years now and absolutely beat the hell out of it and it's still going strong with zero issues to report. Battery life is good, durability is absolutely fine, and I've never lost zero with it even when mounted on Kalashnikov pattern rifles.
The thing is this, by buying one of the better holosuns you're not even saving that much money compared to an Eotech EXPS2 which if you don't use NVGs is all you really need (and I've heard they do still work with NVGs, they just don't have as many settings as the exps3). So it really comes down to the quality and the battery life in my book as well as one very important thing...Eotech is American and I'd rather have "made in the USA" when I can. Idk, this is tough.
Exps-3 Don’t skimp on two you’ll regret when using NVG
Thanks for the video and information mountain mullet mustache man!
No problem! Hope you enjoyed this one!
Absolutely fantastic content/presentation/information. Driving nails @200y w/1x = hardcore. @14:50...that look 🙂 My Vortex Spitfire 1x is super fun too. I really enjoy the challenge of building accuracy skills @+100y.
Fantastic review, very much appreciated. Considering the EXPS3-2 or EXPS3-4 among the EXPS3 series and debating G45 or stuck with 3x magnifiers… that I already have.
Exactly the kind of video I was looking for. Great content, sir!
Man you are a true American badazz! I love everything about your videos and you speak clear and with purpose so its refreshing! Thank you for the content Im going to get everyone I know to sub because this channel needs a few million subs along with views.
As much as we can't have these kinds of rifles here in Australia, it's really interesting to see how the optics stack up against each other. pump action 5.56 rifles with LPVOs are the go-to in competition shooting in Aus, mostly due to the stage design. With defense being not the point of anyone's gear choice, it's always going to be down to competitive shooting to make the choice.
Great video!
Very interesting! I didn't realize pump action 5.56 rifles were the go to choice in your neck of the woods. While this video was geared toward a "fighting rifle" or defensive type rifle I believe the concepts discussed with each optic are still valid for the competition world. In fact I've run the elcan, the acog and an older 1-6 LPVO in many carbine and 2 gun matches through the years and each of these are very effective for that type shooting as well. Really appreciate you taking the time to watch!
@@MountainsMulletsMerica with no semi-autos allowed for 99.9% of people, and pump action rifles being available for everyone, it is really the obvious choice of action type. They are popular enough that Australia has a few domestic manufacturers of pump 223 and 308 rifles that have really great reputations. Compatible with AR/ stanag mags, so it is as close to a semi-auto as we can get.
Thanks for all the awesome content, I've been watching since those first few uploads so I'm keen to keep seeing the channel evolving! I'm going to be moving to the rainforest mountains of Victoria soon, and you've inspired me to get myself a precision rifle and do some long range shooting!
@@wefyb2 Very cool! I'd have to think with a bit of practice a semi auto rifle fed by ar mags would be very fast and super effective.
100% you'll love getting in to long range shooting. After you get those first couple hits at distance you'll be hooked! It'll be frustrating at first so don't give up! Appreciate the continued support! The channel has seen a ton of growth so far which has been super fun. Lots of exciting content planned in 2023 so stay tuned!
Thank you for all your information and your pursuit of the best fighting optical!!👋 We appreciate your knowledge and expertise to us!!👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🤝
Awesome video man, from real world experience the Elcan is amazing. Last trip in afghan I used it, our engagement at times started at 600 yards and we would be able to suppressed. While I get I’m not doing that here but it’s an amazing fighting optic. Used the eotech too but I’d take a aimpoint over that just my preference.
Really appreciate you taking the time to watch and provide real world feedback! Pretty wild you had engagements that were just getting started at 600yds. Based on some of the comments in the acog at long range video that I just launched I’m thinking I want to do the same thing with my elcan. Epic close range performer but very capable out to the edges of effectiveness for 556. Im almost embarrassed to admit it but I bought the eotech shown in this video…. First time using one and I really liked it. More content coming around that as well. Hope you’ll stay tuned!
I’ll stay tuned I appreciate seeing folks opinions. The acog had its placed I used it in Iraq but I felt in afghn it was limited where I was at on my second trip there. We had big open areas that happened by coming through a small village, so range changed quickly. The eotech is great but I used a aimpoint in Iraq on my second trip there, just got hooked and now that I don’t have tax dollar funds and for the amount I shoot batteries last longer.
Another great video man! I've been thinking about throwing a 1-6 on my 10.5 in my head it would be better than the 1-10 having a less busy reticle, I'll have to throw it on and see how I like it
Shoot I say give it a try! I'm guessing your 1-6 has a bdc type reticle in it? If so, I think that would actually match up really well for a SBR you plan to use out to 200-300 yds. With enough practice you can make anything work well! Thanks for watching!
I cannot overstate how important it is to try a 1-10 before buying one. You can stretch to 1-8 without breaking anything in terms of usability, but 1-10 starts to require huge sacrifices on account of FOV or eyebox or plenty of other specs in order to work. Do not buy one till you try one.
I've got a 1x6 lpvo on a 12.5, and I ditched the bdc for a cross hair mil dot reticle. Trying to pick out obscure targets in cover AND seeing them well enough to do a proper hold is easier with a minimalist reticle. The viper pst gen2 or the delta stryker (my choice) are amazingly versatile optics for a shorty ar build. I've tried red dot, red dot/magnifier, 3x prism, acog. LPVOs gives me the versatility I need for my terrain. Good 1x with clear glass for longer ranges.
1x10 trades more than it gives depending on your environment imo.
If you're just target shooting then go for w/e.
@Call of War the viper 1-6 is actually what I would be putting on there. My eye picks up the dot at 1x better on it than my red dot and 6 is more than enough for 300. Looking to grab a 2x10 for my 16"
Excellent field test, explanation of the +/- of each. Thanks for doing this although my checkbook hates the results.
Thanks for the video. I just bought an LPVO yesterday. I haven't mounted it to a rifle yet, and I only bought it to have a representative for students to consider. I'm 60+, and my father is 80+, so optics have become a primary focus (pun not intended), nearly as much as reasonable accuracy.
I have everything you mentioned on the table there. My Razor is the 1-6x though. Much more user-friendly and more forgiving eye-box than less popular 1-10x Razor. I love them all. To your point about the EOTech EXPS, it's absolutely fantastic when paired with either the G33 (3x mag) or the G45 (5x mag). The one drawback to the G45 though (for those considering the G45) is that the eye-box is MUCH tighter and far less forgiving (left/right/up/down) than the G33. Scope shadow tends to dominate the G45 and it forces the shooter to have to train significantly more often on the G45 so you can try to mimic identical cheek-weld placements to limit the amount of shadow you see. Aside from that, another great video, brother. Keep rockin and rollin with the content.
Thanks sooo much for these real world videos. I'm just an average, ordinary guy and can't afford expensive stuff. I'm glad to see the accuracy in this video is the same as mine. I'm seeing videos where some guys are getting sub-moa ALL the time and I was thinking, is this realistic? But now I see that it's not. And the 36 yd zero video was awesome as well. My hits were 3.5 high and i was wondering what's wrong because my ballistic charts were saying it should be lower. But after seeing yours, I know what "reality" is now and am happy with my results (which were almost identical to yours out to 300 yds). I'm a subscriber now and am following your channel. One of the best, most informative channels for someone like me.
Hey man really appreciate the support! Like you, I'm just a regular guy that loves to shoot. My goal with the channel is to keep things real for the exact reasons you listed in your comment. So many times we see and hear of performance that in most cases is not representative of reality. You've probably read through the comments in this video and noticed a lot of folks have mentioned how poor the accuracy on this rifle/ammo combo is when in reality this is very normal for a rack grade AR shooting mil spec ammo. I'm actually thinking of making a video around this exact topic soon so stay tuned!
I approve of this video in every way possible. Those would be my choices in order too. Good job.
Great review of the capabilities of each of these battle proven optics. I own and run all four of these and agree with everything you said. I prefer the Elcan Specter 1,4 and run it on a 14.5” SR-15 as my go-to rifle. Enjoy shooting it more than my TA31 and TA11 ACOGs.
I really like the Eotech EXPS3 for night vision work and shotguns. The 60 moa ring matches a shot spread pretty well.
Good stuff, glad to know I’m not the only elcan fan in the house haha. I actually liked the eotech so much that I decided to buy this one from my buddy. Stay tuned as I plan to have more eotech content coming soon. Thanks for watching!
I learn something new from every video. Thanks man.
Awesome! Glad to hear you are finding value in watching. Lots of fresh content in the works so hope you'll stay tuned!
Great video man, you picked a good choice of optics to compare.
Trying to compare the main optics that come up during fighting rifle conversations. My opinion all of these are great choices!
Randomly came across your channel before Christmas, subscribed and have been liking the content you put out. I’m on a tight budget, run a red dot magnifier combination. It works for everything I need it to do. Looking forward to more great videos. Aloha 🤙🏽
Really appreciate you taking the time to watch and support the channel! Sounds like you’ve got an awesome setup, after spending time with the eotech and the magnifier setup I am a fan. Extremely versatile and not crazy expensive to get into.
Thanks so much for this video man... I was going with the acog but after watching this I think the eotech will fit my needs better for my battle rifle.
Tell you what…. Prior to this video I was rather anti eotech but mainly because I’d never spent time shooting one. After running each of these side by side I ended up buying this exact eotech and magnifier from my buddy and after putting more rounds through it I’m a huge fan! Check out my more recent videos where I show bdc performance out to 600yds!
Another banger! Nice job man, thanks for the great content.
Thank you! Had a blast making this one and I learned a ton in the process. Stay tuned, I've got so much planned for 2023!
Thx for the work put into this video!
Thank you! Appreciate you taking the time to watch!
Loved the video and the format, appreciate ya
How on EARTH do you only have 30ishK subscribers, and your the only channel I've ever seen upload 4k, 60fps.../HD FUCKING R?!/
Bravo. New viewer here. Will recommend any time your videos are relevant.
Hopping for more user feedbacks. I believe we all have a general ideas about the capabilities of the options when we clicked on the video, but what we don't have is the luxury to try and feel them all side by side
Excellent content & I hope to see your channel grow. Just subbed. I never considered EoTech as a viable option because of their shady practices with our military and I’ve always been an Aimpoint guy. Looks like an EoTech/magnifier might be beneficial for what I want to accomplish with my AR-15. 🇺🇸
Great video. Love your insight into this topic.
Great content & info, I've been trying to decide on an optic for my 18in MK12 clone. I used a Criterion barrel instead of a Douglas barrel. Been using a Steiner PX4i 1-4, but want a little more capability. Keep bringing awesome content.👍🏽
Been running a red dot/Eotech with a 3x magnifier for about two years. Finally got to shoot to 500 yards today. Got about a seven inch group (3 within two inches) with 75gr Hornady frontier otm out of a budget DB-15 1-8 16inch. Very surprised and pleased with this set up. Very versatile. That Elcan has always caught my eye though. Perfect for a GPR. When I get a 6.5 Grendel upper, I'll be considering it. Thanks for the vid.
Man a 7” group at 500 yds using an eotech with magnifier is awesome shooting! Curious if you were using one of the eotechs with the bdc built into the reticle or just the standard eotech circle and dot?
@@MountainsMulletsMerica Thanks. I was using a standard one dot. I measured my target ( a full sized spray-painted silhouette ) before hand and used my dope. I also used a Hiperfire edt marksman trigger which I believe was a advantage. I would love to try a Geissele one day and see how I would do. Hear nothing but great things about them.
@@Jason32Bourne epic shooting! It’s amazing how much easier it is to shoot to distance with a nice trigger. Anymore, swapping the trigger to a nice match 2 stage is the first thing I do in a new AR!
@@MountainsMulletsMerica Thanks. Happy shootin!
Great video! I love watching comparison videos!
Thank you! Appreciate you taking the time to watch. Stay tuned for more content like this!
Great info and I like how you’re continuing to test that 36 yard zero
After seeing how it performed in my last video I'll be using it on my fighting ARs moving forward. Something worth mentioning. In my last video the 36yd zero was also pretty much spot on with the 14.5" barreled rifle. I noticed with the 10.3" barrel rifle the 36yd zero was landing a bit low at 300 yds. Goes to show every rifle is a little different but directionally the concept works.
@@MountainsMulletsMerica Heck ya and pushing some extra velocity out of that 14.5 prob helped as well.
Really appreciate this video - perhaps the EXPS3-4 with a 5X magnifier would edge out the capabilities of the Elcan more definitively? There's your BDC and the option to use under nods is way more practical. I think that's what sells it for me.
Curious how the Acog would stack up in this comparison if run with a offset or piggyback micro red dot. It should only add a couple of oz. Do you think it would rank up there with the Eotech or Elcan if so?
Another idea for a video that could be interesting is barrel length for a fighting rifle outdoors. If it's not something you are going to use in indoor CQC, is going from a 18/16inch to a 10 or 14.5 providing any tangible benefit over the longer options, or are you better off with the longer barrel and greater velocity? The short AR are all the rage these days, and are great for home defense or urban combat, however for us in rural America are they really relevant?
Very easy to follow and loaded with information, thank you.
Appreciate you taking the time to watch!
Great info …I bet this took some time to film,,, not to mention the cost in ammo… thank you for posting this video
Very well done! Keep up the great work. Glad I found your channel
Thank you! Lots of content like this planned for 2023 so stay tuned!
Eotech EXPS3 with Magnifier or ELCAN would be my choice ..
Absolutely phenomenal video
Love it! After running each of these optics side by side I really feel like either of these optics would be perfect on a fighting AR. I went into this video expecting the eotech and magnifier would be my least favorite but after some time with the setup that quickly changed haha. Thanks for watching!
@@MountainsMulletsMerica
I shoot 2Gun COMPETITIONs monthly. 75% of the time I use my go too 13.9 with EXPS3 and Micro 3x MAGNIFIER. When we are shooting 300 Yards and in I use this combo . When ever we shoot at PNTC I use my Recce 14.5 Upper with 1-10 because we shoot out to 600M at that range .
I have absolutely 0 issues hitting Reduced C zone at 320 Yards . I have hit 8" plate at 320 yards with EXPS3 and Triplier. I did not get it in the first shot . I got it on the third shot .
If the Elcan wasnt so expensive I'd for sure own one lol.
I'm also a sucker for Trijicon Accupoint and ACOG . I freaking love TA45 and TA31 . TA45 is probably my all around favorite for 100Y and in .
If someone said ACOG with MRDS was the absolute best setup . I would not argue with them . I can see why they think that .
Red Dot / HWS with Micro Triplier to me just makes the most sense . It's kind of a no brainer . Especially now with UNITY FTC Triplier mounts .
Thank you for validating my purchases again lol, I run an eotech on my mk18 and Elcan on my block II
Sounds like you made some great choices! After shooting this video I'm a fan of the eotech/ magnifier setup.... just so flexible. Appreciate you taking the time to watch!
If you are interested in "fighting" rifles, then begin by looking at the US Army standard issue M4 (14.5 with an aimpoint red dot). During this time frame, you will see 14.5 an 20 inch rifles outfitted with the ACOG. More recently, the Marines have opted for 16 inch M4s with 1x6 LPVOs. And my favorite, the Rangers, running M4s (14.5 with Eotechs).
These are just some of the setups having been run during real-world fighting.
Hope that helps you develop what works best for you.
Best of luck,
Phil
Yep, hard to argue with real world data! Lots of Elcans out there and most recently the trijicon 1-8 as well. Pretty interesting seeing how gear preferences have changed in fairly recent times. Thanks for watching!
Great video man 🔥
Thank you! Really appreciate you taking the time to watch my videos and support the channel!
Great content as always, Zach.
Thank you! Appreciate you taking the time to watch and support the channel!
Excellent video as always
Thank you!
Great video. Just the content I was looking for. Currently I run a delta point pro red dot on my house ar and a PA 1x prism with a 3x Juliet on another one.
Awesome, appreciate you taking the time to watch! Funny you mention the 1x prism sight, I've had several comments on this video regarding prism optics. I'm thinking I might try to pick one up to try out in future content. Hard to beat a 1x with magnifier in my opinion.
Thank you for producing this awesome video!
No problem, I had a blast putting it together! 100% changed my opinion on eotechs after running this one side by side with the other optics.
Love your content brother, keep these videos coming
Will do! Appreciate you taking the time to watch and support the channel!
we fielded the acog TA01 back in 2004 on a brand new FN M16A4 with the new picatinny rail KAS. we were taught to aim top of the post under the chevron for 100m zero. when went to Iraq, the sun being so bright, we would tape the Tritium with duck tape or electrical tape to offset the brightness. for Acog close range or room clearing, we would try the Bindon Aiming Concept. however, I preferred aiming for the bottom of my front sight post.
Good stuff. I personally run a dot paired with an eotech magnifier in unity mounts, have been for years now. I've always liked the idea of other options but never made the leap. I've gotten so used to it I cant get away from it, and its served me well over the years. Glad to see it do so well for you aswell, I too have the same opinion on the setup, it's nice to have the extra magnification when needed but also nice to be able to strip some weight when not needed. I've always liked the idea and looks of the elcan but have no time behind one or ever even seen one in person lol mabey some day.
Pretty crazy man…. Prior to shooting this video I wasn’t a fan of a red dot/ magnifier setup but admittedly I’d never really given the setup a fair shot. After running each of these setups side by side and approaching with an open mind I was shocked at how well I liked the red dot/ magnifier setup. Liked it so much I ended up buying both the eotech and the G45 from my buddy haha. Hoping to push the setup to distance at some point so we can see how well the eotech bdc reticle matches up with really world performance at distance.
@@MountainsMulletsMerica lol that's awesome man, it's good stuff. look forward to seein what you come up with next!
Awesome vid. Love the eotech with magnifier setup.. been stewing on an elcan. Got the itch
Oh man elcans aren’t cheap but in my opinion they are totally worth the price. Extremely robust optic with great glass, perfect pair for a fighting rifle in my opinion. I support your decision to buy haha
@@MountainsMulletsMerica.. finally got one. Agree completely bro. Love your content
Nice video and as usual you did some good shooting. With that said I fundamentally disagree with your conclusion. I believe the ACOG is the best option and yes, it is superior when paired with an RMR. That said, you will not find a lighter or more durable optic that offers the capability of an ACOG+RMR combo.
Yes, on a 10.3" MK18 personally I'd run an eotech or other RDS. BUT, for the average person a 10.3" rifle is not an ideal fighting rifle. Something in the 11.5-14.5" range would be better and really, I'd say 11.5" only if using it suppressed as you are. Otherwise the average person should be running a 12.5-14.5" barrel with a magnified optic. You can definitely engage faster with a red dot sight at close range. But combat isn't just about engaging, it's about gathering information so that you know when to engage and how best to do so.
I really dig your channel bro but I had to offer my 2 cents. Another guy whom I also recently found and subscribed to has an excellent video where he really lays down the logic behind the ACOG and ACOG+RMR. I really suggest watching it: ruclips.net/video/vPOit6EMxnI/видео.html
Solid video from preparedairmen and I appreciate you sharing! Looks like he's got a solid channel with a lot of cool content. Ultimately I agree with both your and prepared airmen's comments, a magnified optic is a much have on fighting type AR. The acog is an awesome optic, extremely robust with a great glass a huge field of view an easy to use reticle.
If I were putting together a rifle where weight was at the top of the list I would for sure choose an acog with red dot. If weight isn't the most critical concern I believe there are other options that I would prefer. I believe a fair mix of capability and weight is the red dot with the magnifier setup. Run the magnifier on the rifle when you need the ability to magnify and see/ shoot at distance, then if you find yourself shooting primarily close range or working with NV remove the magnifer and run the red dot by itself.
Ultimately though each of these optics have a place on a fighting rifle as they all have their own pros and cons. For me, I prefer my acog on my 14.5" block II upper. I'm actually planning a video with this setup shortly so stay tuned! Appreciate you taking the time to watch!
Awesome and informative vid. Thanks for putting this out!
Thank you! I had a blast putting this one together and learned a tons. Appreciate you taking the time to watch!
Got my subs, bro. I had Eotech+3x magnifier on all my rifles (16”) for my own practical uses/purposes
Awesome! Really appreciate you taking the time to watch and support the channel! Tell you what, I went into this video fully expecting to like the eotech and magnifier the least of all.... turns out I liked it so much I bought this eotech and G45 setup off my buddy haha. Great choice for all around use.
My favorite all around set up is a red dot/holo sight running 1/3rd with fixed iron sights. Then a sling and a flash light.
I shoot irons a lot though. The principles between dots that colored and front sight focus are opposites. It takes a bit more work than perhaps, most people are interested in learning.
Great content as always! Really liking your channel.
Thank you! Really appreciate you taking the time to watch and support the channel! Lots of content planned this year so stay tuned!
Solid vido buddy. I was fully expecting you to like the LPVO for shooting because that’s what I like the most but I just bought an eco-tech for an SBR that I have so I’m glad to hear your opinion on the topic. I’m about to take a heavy rifle and pistol class, but I’m gonna see if my opinions match up to yours. Keep the great content coming.
Would love to hear what you think after running each of those side by side. Ultimately I love LPVOs but for the purposes outlined in this video I preferred the other optics. My opinion is an LPVO is a great fit on something like a 14.5-16" rifle or something along the lines of a DMR that you're looking to push out to distance. This 1-10 in particular was a lot of scope for a 10.3" SBR where max engagement distance is 200-300ish yards. Thanks for watching!
great video man, wish you much success
Thank you! Appreciate you taking the time to watch and support the channel!
*“Now, let’s take a look, at the paper.”* Love this guy 😂❤
Haha glad you enjoy it! Lots more content just like this in the works so hope you’ll stay tuned!
Another fine video. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you! Appreciate the continued support!
Your content is solid bro
Appreciate it! Lots planned for 2023 so stay tuned!
Another fantastic video!
Thank you!
Really great video and very professional. I’m subscribing for more!
Thank you! Really appreciate the support. Lots more content like this on the way in 2023 so stay tuned!
Excellent as always.
Appreciate it! Thank you for the continued support of the channel!
I run an elcan on my 12.5". Its awesome
I played around with the eotech and g33 first. Then i broke the vortex viper pst on my Mk12. Bought the elcan 1/3/9 as a bombproof replacement. Loved it so i bought the spectre 1/4 for my 12.5". No regrets
As always, great video
Appreciate you taking the time to watch again!
@12:02 he kept it real with blooper and didn’t edit it out 👍🏽.
Channel is booming
Yeah the past month has been wild! Really excited about the growth and I've got a lot more planned for 2023. Stay tuned, it should be a fun time!
Great video. Very practical.
Thank you! Appreciate you taking the time to watch!
Loving the content. Thanks!
Appreciate you taking the time to watch!
I like your methods. Very thoughtful.
Thank you! My hope was to come up with a fair way to compare optics that would represent how most folks would be using them. Certainly not perfect but i learned a ton doing this. Thanks for watching!
Owning several red dots and scopes, my fave is my Vortex viper pst gen 2 1-6. thats just me though. i think you should re-barrel your upper though man. Ballistic advantage and Rosco have some really accurate tubes for not too many doll hairs. if i had a barrel that shot groups like yours i would be pissed. civilians have the luxury of exceeding mil-spec.
Yeah this upper isn't exactly a tack driver. Ultimately though the performance is what it is and M855 isn't exactly match ammo. One of these days I might run some 77gr ammo through this upper to see what it's actually capable of but in the context of this video I was able to make 36 out of 40 hits on a reduced man size torso at 300 yds. My opinion that is acceptable performance given the ammo, optic and intended role of the rifle. I've got other projects I want to spend money on so this upper likely won't see a new barrel for a long time haha. Thanks for watching!
Great video man, easily deserved new sub here.
Thank you! Really appreciate the support. Planning lots more content like this in 2023 so stay tuned!
Great review bro. I got an EoTech XPS2-0 and I'm saving up for the magnifier. The reticle is fuzzy but I think the magnifier will clean it up. I'm getting an ACOG later. For my LPVO I didn't want to spend the money for a razor so I just got a Sig Tango MSR 1-8. It's been good enough for me. Top end LPVOs are so expensive.
The G33 magnifier makes it just about crystal clear.
No joke, the high end LPVOs feel crazy expensive for what they are. That said, I bet you'll be really happy with a magnifier behind the Eotech you're got. LPVOs are awesome but I really enjoyed the flexibility offered by the eotech with the magnifier and as shown in the video I felt like this setup gave up very little if anything to any of the other optics.
Don't cheap out the magnifier. I have an EXPS2-2 and it's crystal clear with the G33. It still looks good with my Holosun HMX3T and Vortex Micro 3 but it's noticeable and you'll seriously want that clearer glass at higher magnification.
If you like that set up, next time it'll save you some cash to buy both a EXPS and G33 together. I found the combo for $830 shipped this year and been really pleased with it.
LPVOs are tricky because again, you'll want and benefit from clearer glass at higher magnification. I recommended a Trijicon Credo HX 1-6, Delta Stryker HD, Steiner PX4I, Trijicon TR25, Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 for decent sub $1,000 LPVOs that I consider mid range-ish if you're ever looking to get out of that budget LPVO tier with the Primary Arms SLX, Swampfox Arrowhead, Sig Tango MSR tiers. A sleeper LPVO is the Burris RT6 imo which is sub $400.
I have a Elcan Specter 1,5-6 on my H&K 308. I like this combination a lot! Perform great together
You know the 1.5-6 elcan is something I want to try. Can’t decide how the 1.5x would perform vs something more along the lines of a true 1x. Thanks for watching!
Awesome vid as always, lets push that mustache to the limit in future vids.
You have my 100% commitment to make this happen haha. Thanks for watching!
Great video’s keep up the great content and work
Appreciate it! I've got a ton of content just like this planned for 2023 so stay tuned!
Once again, very good content 👍
Thank you! Big plans for 2023 so stay tuned!
You should get a shot timer so we can quantify the speed difference on the optics! Great video!
You know this thought crossed my mind. I don’t have one at the moment but I’ve been thinking about getting one. Would be great to use in quantifying some of the differences between these optics. Thing is I’m just an average guy out plinking so I don’t expect any kind of lightening quick speeds haha. Thanks for watching!
I have a Vortex 1-8 on my 16 inch carbine and a holosun 503C red dot on my 10 inch CQB truck gun. Choose the right equipment for the right task and you'll never be disappointed. Most civilians are never going to take a 300 yard shot so LPVO isn't a need. Weight matters, try walking your rifle and 6 magazines a mile and you'll understand why 2 extra pounds of weight for a scope sucks ;-)
That’s why huck my 16” Dd5v3 15x viper d50 with 175smks up the steepest mts eastern Ky has..with 80more rds on a old nam style 4mag carrier with the super soft pads…I’m 125lbs with 5 178grbthp’s in each pocket….stay in mountains
Totally agree with you on this one. LPVOs are cool and certainly have a place but as shown in the video not my first choice for a fighting type AR. Like you mention, shooting over 300 yds with a "fighting rifle" is rather unlikely so while handy, 6x, 8x, or 10x really isn't neccessary. I'd rather have something a little lighter instead of more top end magnification. Appreciate you taking the time to watch!
@@MountainsMulletsMerica appreciate you taking the time to make an edit the video